A Qualitative Systematic Review of Facilitators of and Barriers to Community Pharmacists-Led Anticoagulation Management Service.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the facilitators of and barriers to the implementation of Community Pharmacists-Led Anticoagulation Management Services (CPAMS). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until August 20, 2021. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All abstracts proceeded to full-text review, which was completed by 2 reviewers. Data extraction was completed by a single reviewer and verified. Analysis was completed using best-fit framework synthesis. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 17 articles reporting on CPAMS from 6 jurisdictions were included: 2 Canadian provincial programs (Nova Scotia, Alberta), a national program (New Zealand), and 3 cities in the United Kingdom (Whittington and Brighton and Hove) and Australia (Sydney). Facilitators of CPAMS included convenience for patients, accessibility for patients, professional satisfaction for pharmacists, increased efficiency in anticoagulation management, improved outcomes, enhanced collaboration, and scalability. Barriers included perceived poor quality of care by patients, resistance by general practitioners, organizational limits, capping of the number of eligible patients, and cost. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: The barriers and facilitators identified in this review will inform health policy makers on the implementation and improvement of CPAMS for patients and health care practitioners. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: CPAMS has been implemented in 6 jurisdictions across 4 countries, with reported benefits and challenges. The programs were structurally similar in most jurisdictions, with minor variations in implementation. New anticoagulation management programs should consider adapting existing frameworks to local needs.

The effect of interventions targeting gut microbiota on depressive symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite their popularity, the efficacy of interventions targeting gut microbiota to improve depressive symptoms is unknown. Our objective is to summarize the effect of microbiome-targeting interventions on depressive symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials from inception to Mar. 5, 2021. We included studies that evaluated probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, paraprobiotic or fecal microbiota transplant interventions in an adult population (age ≥ 18 yr) with an inactive or placebo comparator (defined by the absence of active intervention). Studies must have measured depressive symptoms with a validated scale, and used a randomized controlled trial study design. We conducted a random effects meta-analysis of change scores, using standardized mean difference as the measure of effect. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies formed the final data set, with 50 included in the meta-analysis. Probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic interventions on depressive symptoms showed statistically significant benefits. In the single studies evaluating each of fecal microbiota transplant and paraprobiotic interventions, neither showed a statistically significant benefit. INTERPRETATION: Despite promising findings of benefit of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic interventions for depressive symptoms in study populations, there is not yet strong enough evidence to favour inclusion of these interventions in treatment guidelines for depression. Critical questions about species administered, dosage and timing relative to other antidepressant medications remain to be answered. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO no. 143178.

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Literature.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication that leads to vision loss. Despite national and international organizations developing guidelines for diabetic retinopathy screening, patients with diabetes remain unscreened. Our aim was to understand facilitators and barriers influencing diabetic retinopathy screening attendance and to examine factors that promote program success. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL from inception until September 23, 2019, were used for data collection. Studies were included if they were original qualitative research articles, included adults >18 years of age and assessed diabetic retinopathy screening programs or retinopathy screening as a component of a general diabetes care program. A "best-fit" framework synthesis methodology was used for this analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles involving 1,433 participants were identified. Six themes of barriers to, and facilitators of, diabetic retinopathy screening were identified, including access to screening, knowledge and information sharing, training and skills competency, service delivery, cultural competency and psychological factors. Cost and competing interests were common barriers to access; lack of knowledge about screening services was also a frequently reported barrier. Both patients and providers identified the need for improved service delivery, especially the referral and follow-up process. Providers recognized the need for additional training, patients enumerated several psychological barriers to screening uptake and cultural considerations were believed to be important, particularly among Indigenous communities. CONCLUSIONS: To improve screening uptake, the identified challenges must be addressed while also reinforcing the facilitators. Furthermore, program administrators could model new and unsuccessful screening programs after the successful ones while also considering local peculiarities.

Immunogenicity and Safety of Reduced-Dose Intradermal vs Intramuscular Influenza Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Low-dose intradermal influenza vaccines could be a suitable alternative to full intramuscular dose during vaccine shortages. Objective: To compare the immunogenicity and safety of the influenza vaccine at reduced or full intradermal doses with full intramuscular doses to inform policy design in the event of vaccine shortages. Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies published from 2010 until June 5, 2020. Study Selection: All comparative studies across all ages assessing the immunogenicity or safety of intradermal and intramuscular influenza vaccinations were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data were extracted by a single reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through consensus. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included geometric mean titer, seroconversion, seroprotection, and adverse events. Results: A total of 30 relevant studies were included; 29 studies were randomized clinical trials with 13 759 total participants, and 1 study was a cohort study of 164 021 participants. There was no statistically significant difference in seroconversion rates between the 3-µg, 6-µg, 7.5-µg, and 9-µg intradermal vaccine doses and the 15-µg intramuscular vaccine dose for each of the H1N1, H3N2, and B strains, but rates were significantly higher with the 15-µg intradermal dose compared with the 15-µg intramuscular dose for the H1N1 strain (rate ratio [RR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01-1.20) and B strain (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.73). Seroprotection rates for the 9-µg and 15-µg intradermal doses did not vary significantly compared with the 15-µg intramuscular dose for all the 3 strains, except for the 15-µg intradermal dose for the H1N1 strain, for which rates were significantly higher (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09). Local adverse events were significantly higher with intradermal doses than with the 15-µg intramuscular dose, particularly erythema (3-µg dose: RR, 9.62; 95% CI, 1.07-86.56; 6-µg dose: RR, 23.79; 95% CI, 14.42-39.23; 9-µg dose: RR, 4.56; 95% CI, 3.05-6.82; 15-µg dose: RR, 3.68; 95% CI, 3.19-4.25) and swelling (3-µg dose: RR, 20.16; 95% CI, 4.68-86.82; 9-µg dose: RR, 5.23; 95% CI, 3.58-7.62; 15-µg dose: RR, 3.47 ; 95% CI, 2.21-5.45). Fever and chills were significantly more common with the 9-µg intradermal dose than the 15-µg intramuscular dose (fever: RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03-1.80; chills: RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03-1.50) while all other systemic adverse events were not statistically significant for all other doses. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that reduced-dose intradermal influenza vaccination could be a reasonable alternative to standard dose intramuscular vaccination.

Patients' experience with and perspectives on neuromodulation for pain: a systematic review of the qualitative research literature.

Chronic pain has far-reaching impacts on a person's life and on society more broadly. After failure or intolerance of conservative treatments, neuromodulation may be an option for a subgroup of patients. However, little is known about the patient experience of neuromodulation. We conducted a systematic review of published qualitative research on patient experience with neuromodulation for chronic pain. Four databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psych INFO, and all EMB reviews, from inception to December 4, 2019. We used narrative synthesis to identify key findings from the included studies. The data were qualitatively analyzed using a modified constant comparative analysis to identify key themes across the studies. Seven thousand five hundred forty-two unique citations were retrieved. Sixty-four abstracts were selected by the reviewers and continued to full-text review. After full-text review, 57 studies were excluded with 7 studies included in this systematic review. The included studies were of high quality. Four broad themes emerged: (1) living with chronic pain, (2) expectations, (3) managing challenges, and (4) regaining normalcy. Neuromodulation should be part of an overall pain management plan that may include the need for ongoing emotional and psychosocial support. A deeper knowledge of the patient experience with neuromodulation will assist care teams in providing meaningful support to patients. The results of this study suggest that further research is needed to support neuromodulation as an option for patients living with chronic pain.

Effectiveness of Neurostimulation Technologies for the Management of Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the state of the literature for clinical effectiveness of neurostimulation used for the management of chronic pain. METHODS: A systematic review of spinal cord stimulation (SCS), peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS), and supraorbital transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with cancer and noncancer chronic pain was conducted. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials were searched, using terms like "electrical stimulation therapy" and "pain management." Direction of effect, consistency across studies, and strength of evidence for effects of neurostimulation on chronic pain were narratively synthesized. RESULTS: A total of 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining SCS, 7 RCTs examining PNS/PNFS, and 1 nonrandomized trial examining supraorbital transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) were included. In nine SCS studies, neurostimulation had positive effects on pain. In three studies, neurostimulation did not significantly reduce pain. For PNS/PNFS, five studies found improvements in pain offered by neurostimulation; pain outcomes were not reported in two studies. In the TENS study, neurostimulation reduced headaches per month and medication consumption. Overall, 21 studies were of low or unclear risk of bias, 4 were high risk of bias, and the TENS study was not appropriate for assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. CONCLUSIONS: A robust body of evidence examining SCS and PNS was identified. Only one study for PNFS and TENS was identified; both reported pain reductions. Generally, neurostimulation improved pain control. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of neurostimulation offered early in the trajectory of chronic pain.

Ultrasound- versus fluoroscopy-guided injections in the lower back for the management of pain: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Ultrasound-guided spinal injections are less common than fluoroscopy-guided injections. Although unable to penetrate bones, ultrasound guidance has a number of advantages including convenience and reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. However, it is not known how ultrasound-guided injections compare to fluoroscopy-guided injections in the management of lower back pain. Our objective is to systematically review the literature comparing ultrasound-guided injections to fluoroscopy-guided injections for the management of lower back pain. METHODS: Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and NHSEED were searched from 2007 to September 26, 2017. Inclusion criteria included (1) randomized controlled trial design, (2) compared ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopy-guided injections for lower back pain, (3) dose and volume of medications injected were identical between trial arms, and (4) reported original data. RESULTS: One hundred one unique records were identified, and 21 studies were considered for full-text inclusion. Nine studies formed the final data set. Studies comparing ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided injections for lower back pain management reported no difference in pain relief, procedure time, number of needle passes, changes in disability indices, complications or adverse events, post-procedure opioid consumption, or patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic guidance of injections for the management of lower back pain is similar in efficacy to ultrasound guidance. The exact role of ultrasound guidance needs to be further studied, especially for nerve root injections, where safety is the major concern. KEY POINTS: • There were no differences in pain relief, procedure time, number of needle passes, changes in disability indices, complications or adverse events, post-procedure opioid consumption, or patient satisfaction between ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided injections for the management of lower back pain. • Given the lack of evidence to demonstrate superior efficacy and the added harms with fluoroscopic guidance, ultrasound guidance may be the preferred method of guidance for injections to manage lower back pain in appropriate patients. Further study is required to understand the exact role of ultrasound in image-guided injections.

The adverse health effects and harms related to marijuana use: an overview review.

BACKGROUND: With impending marijuana legislation in Canada, a broad understanding of the harms associated with marijuana use is needed to inform the clinical community and public, and to support evidence-informed public policy development. The purpose of the review was to synthesize the evidence on adverse health effects and harms of marijuana use. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Health Technology Assessment Database from the inception of each database to May 2018. Given that systematic reviews evaluating one or other specific harm have been published, this is an overview review with the primary objective of assessing a health effect or harm. Data on author, country and year of publication, search strategy and results, and outcomes were extracted. Quality was assessed using the AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) checklist. RESULTS: The final analysis included 68 reviews. Evidence of harm was reported in 62 reviews for several mental health disorders, brain changes, cognitive outcomes, pregnancy outcomes and testicular cancer. Inconclusive evidence was found for 20 outcomes (some mental health outcomes, other types of cancers and all-cause mortality). No evidence of harm was reported for 6 outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Harm was associated with most outcomes assessed. These results should be viewed with concern by physicians and policy-makers given the prevalence of use, the persistent reporting of a lack of recognition of marijuana as a possibly harmful substance and the emerging context of legalization for recreational use.

Behaviour modification interventions to optimise red blood cell transfusion practices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of behaviour modification interventions to promote restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS: Seven electronic databases were searched to January 2018. Published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised studies examining an intervention to modify healthcare providers' RBC transfusion practice in any healthcare setting were included. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients transfused. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of inappropriate transfusions, RBC units transfused per patient, in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), pretransfusion haemoglobin and healthcare costs. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and meta-regression was performed in cases of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by Begg's funnel plot. RESULTS: Eighty-four low to moderate quality studies were included: 3 were RCTs and 81 were non-randomised studies. Thirty-one studies evaluated a single intervention, 44 examined a multimodal intervention. The comparator in all studies was standard of care or historical control. In 33 non-randomised studies, use of an intervention was associated with reduced odds of transfusion (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.71)), odds of inappropriate transfusion (OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.59)), RBC units/patient weighted mean difference (WMD: -0.50 units (95% CI -0.85 to -0.16)), LOS (WMD: -1.14 days (95% CI -2.12 to -0.16)) and pretransfusion haemoglobin (-0.28 g/dL (95% CI -0.48 to -0.08)). There was no difference in odds of mortality (OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.02)). Protocol/algorithm and multimodal interventions were associated with the greatest decreases in the primary outcome. There was high heterogeneity among estimates and evidence for publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The literature examining the impact of interventions on RBC transfusions is extensive, although most studies are non-randomised. Despite this, pooled analysis of 33 studies revealed improvement in the primary outcome. Future work needs to shift from asking, 'does it work?' to 'what works best and at what cost?' PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015024757.

Palliative care in the home: a scoping review of study quality, primary outcomes, and thematic component analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients and families through the prevention and relief of suffering. Frequently, patients may choose to receive palliative care in the home. The objective of this paper is to summarize the quality and primary outcomes measured within the palliative care in the home literature. This will synthesize the current state of the literature and inform future work. METHODS: A scoping review was completed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EconLit, PsycINFO, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database were searched from inception to August 2016. Inclusion criteria included: 1) care was provided in the "home of the patient" as defined by the study, 2) outcomes were reported, and 3) reported original data. Thematic component analysis was completed to categorize interventions. RESULTS: Fifty-three studies formed the final data set. The literature varied extensively. Five themes were identified: accessibility of healthcare, caregiver support, individualized patient centered care, multidisciplinary care provision, and quality improvement. Primary outcomes were resource use, symptom burden, quality of life, satisfaction, caregiver distress, place of death, cost analysis, or described experiences. The majority of studies were of moderate or unclear quality. CONCLUSIONS: There is robust literature of varying quality, assessing different components of palliative care in the home interventions, and measuring different outcomes. To be meaningful to patients, these interventions need to be consistently evaluated with outcomes that matter to patients. Future research could focus on reaching a consensus for outcomes to evaluate palliative care in the home interventions.

Effectiveness of Surgical Treatment for Tarlov Cysts: A Systematic Review of Published Literature.

OF BACKGROUND DATA: In the general population, it has been estimated that 1.5% of people have ≥1 Tarlov cysts, with about 13% of those being symptomatic. Despite a range of options for treatment, there is debate about when, and how to optimally treat individuals with Tarlov cysts among clinicians, and among policy decision makers. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current evidence on surgical treatment of Tarlov cysts. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review was completed. METHODS: Nine databases were searched. Abstracts and full-texts were assessed by 2 reviewers. To be included, studies had to assess safety, efficacy, or effectiveness of treating Tarlov cysts, had to be written in English or French, and had to be a randomized, quasi-randomized, observational cohort, case control, or case series design including ≥2 participants. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken on the patient-level data collected to assess the association of patient and cyst characteristics on treatment success. RESULTS: In total, 31 studies were included in this systematic review; all were case series. Among the 646 participants included in these 31 studies, 210 experienced complete resolution of symptoms (32%), 327 had partial resolution (50%), 106 did not have any improvement or worsening of symptoms (16%), and 3 had their symptoms worsen after surgery (0.4%). A number of adverse events were reported after surgery; however, all were temporary. The analysis of 49 patients with data on cyst size resulted in the odds of complete resolution of symptoms being lower for patients with larger cysts (odds ratio=0.53, P-value=0.107) although this finding is not statistically significant. For those with a cyst >1.5 cm the odds of complete resolution were (odds ratio=0.36, P-value=0.190) compared with those with a cyst <1.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that surgery for symptomatic Tarlov cysts may be an effective option for partially or completely relieving symptoms. Contrary to previous findings larger cysts were not associated with completely relieving symptoms.

Health effects of exposure to second- and third-hand marijuana smoke: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Recreational marijuana has been legalized in 11 jurisdictions; Canada will legalize marijuana by July 2018. With this changing landscape, there is a need to understand the public health risks associated with marijuana to support patient-care provider conversations, harm-reduction measures and evidence-informed policy. The objective of this work was to summarize the health effects of exposure to second- and third-hand marijuana smoke. METHODS: In this systematic review, we searched 6 databases from inception to October 2017. Abstract and full-text review was conducted in duplicate. Studies were included if they were human, in vivo or in vitro studies with more than 1 case reported in English or French, and reported original, quantitative data. Three outcomes were extracted: 1) cannabinoids and cannabinoid metabolites in bodily fluids, 2) self-reported psychoactive effects and 3) eye irritation and discomfort. RESULTS: Of the 1701 abstracts identified, 60 proceeded to full-text review; the final data set contained 15 articles. All of the included studies were of good to poor quality as assessed with the Downs and Black checklist. There is evidence of a direct relation between the tetrahydrocannabinol content of marijuana and effects on those passively exposed. This relation is mediated by several environmental factors including the amount of smoke, ventilation, air volume, number of marijuana cigarettes lit and number of smokers present. No evidence was identified assessing exposure to third-hand marijuana smoke or the health effects of long-term exposure. INTERPRETATION: Exposure to second-hand marijuana smoke leads to cannabinoid metabolites in bodily fluids, and people experience psychoactive effects after such exposure. Alignment of tobacco and marijuana smoking bylaws may result in the most effective public policies. More research is required to understand the impact of exposure to third-hand smoke and the health effects of long-term exposure to second-hand smoke.

Marijuana Use and Perceptions of Risk and Harm: A Survey among Canadians in 2016.

OBJECTIVES: To describe marijuana use by Canadians and their perceptions of risk and harm. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, structured, online and telephone survey. PARTICIPANTS: A nationally representative sample of Canadians. METHODS: This survey used random probability sampling and targeted respondents based on age, sex, region and their expected response rate. RESULTS: Of the 20% of respondents reporting marijuana use in the past 12 months, they were more likely to be younger and male. The most common form of use was smoking, 79%. When asked about harmfulness, 42% and 41% responded that they considered marijuana more harmful than helpful to mental health and to physical health, respectively. When asked about driving under the influence, 71% responded that it was the same as alcohol. CONCLUSION: This research is important for health providers and policy makers seeking to maximize public health through clinical and legislative reform of non-medical use of marijuana.

Living with Hepatitis C Virus: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Qualitative Literature.

Background and Aims. The lived experience of HCV has not been well documented in the literature. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the experiences of living with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Methods. Five databases were searched from inception until January 19, 2015. Studies were included if they focused on adults diagnosed with HCV; reported experience living with HCV; and described original research. Results. 46 studies were included. Studies found that participants had reduced quality of life due to physical symptoms. Due to physical symptoms and discrimination, many participants switched to part-time work or quit their jobs. Many individuals reported negative experiences with the healthcare system; themes of feeling unsupported, not having adequate information, and not feeling involved in decisions were reported. Stigma significantly impacted those living with HCV. Conclusions. Published literature indicates that those with HCV often feel stigmatized and unsupported in their care, relationships, and work environments, while simultaneously coping with physical and psychological symptoms. This synthesis points to areas where greater education, compassion, and patient-centered healthcare could improve the experience of people living with HCV.